HISTORY OF THE FISHERIES IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK VICINITY, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE GREENBACK CUTTHROAT TROUT Christopher Kennedy U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Colorado Fish and Wildlife Assistance Office
Greenback Cutthroat Trout
These fish had never been disturbed by fish hooks before, so it was a regular paradise for the fisherman in these days in the Park. In the winter the streams froze solid; then we cut holes in the ice, and caught a few fish that way. -Milton Estes, 1939
Horace Ferguson
Camp at Bear Lake
The streams in the park are filled with trout, the supply apparently being inexhaustible, the hotel thus being furnished with fresh fish from its own grounds. To lovers of this famous sport the fishing is surpassed by no place in the mountains. -Brochure for Estes Park Hotel
William Sisty Colorado s First Fish Commissioner
In distributing young Trout, preference has been given streams which were in the vicinity of the leading places of resort Estes Park is another place which should receive special attention. Situated on the head waters of both the St Vrain and Big Thompson, it is perhaps the best point from which to stock both these magnificent streams. Fifty thousand young trout ought to go into this park every year. Even if every fish planted at such points as these is caught each year, it will pay the State to keep on putting them in. -John Pierce, State of Colorado Fish Commissioner, 1886
On Saturday last there was a called meeting of the citizens of the Park, which is of importance to the people who visit this popular resort. The meeting resulted in the organization of an association, to be known as The Estes Park Protective and Improvement Association They pledge themselves to aid in every legal effort, to prevent the destruction of the fish in the rivers of the Park, the illegal killing of game, and the destruction of the timber by camp fires. -Loveland Ledger, June 23, 1895
The particular business and object for which our said association is formed, shall be to promote social intercourse among ourselves and to suggest and provide for and maintain improvements such as Roads, Trails, Fish Hatcheries, Tree Planting, Forestry and any and like attempts intended to be of use and benefit to the members. -Minutes of the Estes Park Protective and Improvement Association, September 22, 1906
Estes Park Fish Hatchery
Estes Park Mountaineer, 1908
Rocky Mountain National Park Lakes Stocked, Superintendents Annual Report, 1915 Lost Lake Crystal Lake Lawn Lake Ypsilon Lake Fern Lake Odessa Lake Two River Lake Bear Lake
It has been the custom of the State game and fish commissioner to stock certain lakes and streams in this locality with trout, and this has been continued since the national park has been created. Since January, 1915, 165,000 trout have been placed as follows: Head Waters of the Big Thompson River (Brook trout) 25,000 Head Waters of the Big Thompson River (Rainbow) 30,000 South Fork of the Thompson River (Rainbow) 30,000 South Fork of the Thompson River (Brook trout) 20,000 Upper Fall River (Rainbow) 30,000 Lower Crystal Lake (Rainbow) 10,000 Two River Lake (Rainbow) 5,000 Odessa Lake (Rainbow) 5,000 Fern Lake (Rainbow) 10,000 Total 165,000 There are two fish preserves in the park stocked by private parties, one by A. E. Sprague, consisting of two lakes covering an area of 20 acres, stocked with Eastern Brook, and Arrowhead Lake sometimes known as Heinricy Lake, which was stocked in 1914 with 30,000 Native Trout. -Superintendents Annual Report, 1915
Fish and Game Association To Be Organized. A number of the business men have become greatly interested in a proposition looking toward the organization of a Fish and Game Association, the partial purpose of which is to foster the propagation of trout for our streams and game protection for the game within our territory. It is a well-known fact among our fishermen that many thousands of the fish taken from the hatchery are devoured by the larger fish when they are planted in the streams and one of the objects of the Fish and Game Association formed in the various parts of the state is to provide nursing ponds where these may mature to a size that will enable them to care for themselves when finally placed in the streams. -Estes Park Trail, May 20, 1921
First Stockings by Estes Park Fish and Game Association Dream Lake 1921 Forest Canyon 1922 Glass Lake 1922 Chiquita Lake 1922 Lake Haiyaha 1922 Sheep Lake 1922 Black Lake 1923 Emerald Lake 1924 Cub Lake 1924 Doughnut Lake 1931 Inkwell Lake 1931 Spectacle Lakes 1931 Blue Lake 1932 Sky Pond 1932 Frozen Lake 1935 Green Lake 1935 Loomis Lake 1935
Civilian Conservation Corps Stocking Fish, 1930s
For propagation purposes the National Park Service prefers the Cutthroat Trout, as park policies invariably discourage the introduction of any exotic species, either floral or faunal. However, it is sometimes impossible to obtain the Cutthroat in sufficient quantities to fully stock the streams and lakes in immediate need, and Brook or Rainbow Trout are often substituted.it is a matter of policy, also to discontinue the stocking of barren lakes. True, certain of these lakes have been stocked in the past, and in these the trout have almost invariably established themselves. These lakes will be restocked from time to time in the future, so those of you who have tucked away in the heart of the high country need have no fear, the big one that got away will always be waiting for you next season, bigger and better than ever. -Nature Notes From Rocky Mountain National Park, December 1936
In accordance with a recommendation from the Director s office under a memorandum of March 11, 1946 to the Regional Director, Region Two, to locate a source of supply for Colorado native trout; we have secured 23,000 fry of this species from the Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Hatchery. These fry were hatched from eggs taken from Trappers Lake on the western slope. At present, these fry are being held at the local State Fish Hatchery and will be transplanted next spring in selected bodies of water within the park where their development may be carefully observed. It is believed this species may be more suited to our waters than the Yellowstone species of black-spotted trout. David H. Canfield, Superintendent, 1946
Native strains of cutthroat trout should be the only forms of trout considered for park waters with single exception that rainbow trout could be considered only for Spragues Lakes because of the unique position this lake may play in the management picture. -O. L. Wallis, Fishery Resources of Rocky Mountain National Park and Needs for Interpretation, Research and Management, 1961
Numbers of Fish Stocked Into Rocky Mountain National Park Waters, 1886-1968 Cutthroat Trout 10,816,805 Brook Trout 6,098,315 Rainbow Trout 2,674,919 Brown Trout 200,000 Salmon 60,000 Unknown Trout 355,700 Total 20,205,739
Waters Within Rocky Mountain National Park Converted to Greenback Cutthroat Trout Since 1973 North Fork Big Thompson River, Lost Lake, Lake Husted, Lake Louise Hidden Valley Creek Bear Lake West Creek Ouzel Lake and Creek Fern Lake and Creek, Odessa Lake Roaring River, Lawn Lake, Crystal Lake Lower Hutcheson Lake, Pear Lake, Cony Creek Sandbeach Lake Spruce Lake Dream Lake
Catch-and-Release Fishing for Greenback Cutthroat Trout
Acknowledgements Sybil Barnes Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park Libraries Lisel Goetze Record Estes Park Area Historical Museum Christy Baker Rocky Mountain National Park Archives